Quality of life and its correlates in patients with bipolar disorder stabilized on lithium prophylaxis

The quality of life (QOL) of 50 bipolar disorder patients in remission (stabilized on lithium prophylaxis) was assessed and compared with that of clinically stable patients with schizophrenia (n = 20) and healthy subjects (n = 20). World Health Organization Quality of Life-Bref (WHOQOL-BREF) and Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q) were used to assess QOL in the three groups of subjects. The factors that contribute or influence QOL (i.e. stressful life events, social support, daily hassles) were also studied using standardized instruments in the study group. It was found that, compared to schizophrenia group, the bipolar group had significantly better QOL in all the domains of Q-LES-Q and the domains of general well-being, physical health and psychological health of the WHOQOL-Bref. The bipolar group had similar QOL scores in all other domains and higher scores in leisure time activity domain of Q-LES-Q, in comparison to the healthy group. The QOL in the bipolar group was better in patients who were younger and had a lesser severity of daily hassle. The present findings suggest that euthymic patients with bipolar disorder have a QOL that is comparable to that of healthy subjects. In contrast, patients with clinically stable schizophrenia have a poorer QOL. Occurrence of daily hassles contributes significantly to QOL in patients with bipolar disorder. However, the relatively limited variance explained by the independent variables included in the study, suggests the need to examine other (perhaps non-clinical) factors that may affect QOL.